A man who tried to send £16,720 hidden in a kettle in the post to Liverpool has admitted money laundering.

Dillon Atkin, aged 27, pleaded guilty to attempting to remove criminal property from the island to the UK and will be sentenced on March 26 at the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police were called to the Post Office sorting office on October 21.

A large amount of bank notes were found hidden inside a kettle in a package intended for an address in Liverpool.

The return address stated on the package was Cornflower Way, Douglas, which turned out to be a ficticious address with a post code at Cronk y Berry, Douglas.

CCTV footage showed Atkin, who lives in Victoria Street, Douglas, posting the parcel in Strand Street on October 21.

He was arrested at his partner’s home.

Ms Carroon said that the case would have to go to the higher court to allow for a confiscation order to be made in relation to the cash.

Magistrates ruled that they would have committed the case to the Court of General Gaol Delivery regardless, which means that sentencing options will not now be limited to summary court penalties.

Defence advocate David Keates asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

Bail continues with conditions that the offender live at his home address and contact probation.